The Kansas City Chiefs have a few areas of concern heading into the 2023 season. They certainly remain among the elite teams in the NFL, but defending the Lombardi Trophy will not be easy.
The Chiefs are going to look much different in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie both departed in free agency, creating holes on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, the team will be relying on some young players to step up into larger roles.
That is because Kansas City waived veteran Frank Clark earlier this offseason. The sides attempted to work out a restructured deal but nothing came to fruition, so Clark was released. Veteran Carlos Dunlap also remains a free agent, so the Chiefs lost two key contributors to their pass rush last season.
2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis will assuredly have a larger role in 2023, potentially being bookended by 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Free agent signing Charles Omenihu will also factor into the mix. It wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Brett Veach dipped back into free agency to add another veteran pass rusher to the mix.
One player who would be a fit is Yannick Ngakoue, who is predicted to land in Kansas City by Liam Hanley of ClutchPoints. Ngakoue is a well-traveled player, having been on four teams in the last three seasons after beginning his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
No matter where he has been, Ngakoue has proven a more than capable pass rusher. He has recorded at least 8.0 sacks in every season of his career, more than making up for his lack of presence as an edge-setter in the run game.
Ngakoue would be a great addition to the Chiefs as a pass-rushing specialist that can be on the field in obvious throwing situations. It is a bit surprising that he remains available given his track record of getting after the quarterback, as teams can never have too many pass rushers.
Landing in Kansas City would provide him the chance not only at consistent playing time but the chance to compete for a ring. In seven seasons in the NFL, he has made the postseason only three times.
